Golf Club Heads With Loft-based Weights and Methods to Manufacture Golf Club Heads
Embodiments of golf club heads with loft-based weights and methods to manufacture golf club heads are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/178,795, filed Jul. 24, 2008.
TECHNICAL FIELDThe present disclosure relates generally to golf equipment, and more particularly, to golf club heads with loft-based weights and methods to manufacture golf club heads.
BACKGROUNDTypically during a golf shot, energy may be transferred from the club head of a golf club to the golf ball. Several factors including initial velocity, backspin rate, and launch angle may affect the flight of the golf ball (i.e., ball flight). In addition to club head speed, club head shape and structure may affect the initial velocity, the spin rate, and/or the launch angle of the golf ball. The initial velocity of the golf ball may be a function of the club head speed at impact between the club head and the golf ball. With all other factors held constant, a higher initial ball velocity may result in the golf ball traveling farther.
The physical geometry and structure of the club head may define a loft angle (e.g., club loft). In particular, the loft angle may be an angle between a front end plane and a loft plane (e.g., a plane parallel to the club face). When the club head impacts the golf ball, spin may be imparted on the golf ball. Ball flight and flight distance of the golf ball may vary based on the spin imparted by the club head. For example, a club head with a relatively higher loft angle may impart a relatively higher ball flight but may provide a relatively shorter flight distance. In contrast, a club head with a relatively lower loft angle may provide a relatively farther flight distance but impart a relatively lower ball flight. Thus, a set of golf clubs may include a progression of loft angles to provide an individual with a range of ball flights and flight distances.
In general, apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture associated with golf club heads with loft-based weights are described herein. The methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.
The toe end 130 may be opposite of the heel end 132, and the front end 134 may be opposite of the back end 136. The face portion 140 may be located in the front end 134 and configured to impact a golf ball (not shown). In particular, the face portion 140 may include a plurality of grooves 150. The plurality of grooves 150 may be elongated in a direction between the toe end 130 and the heel end 132 on the face portion 140. The top wall portion 142 may be opposite of the bottom wall portion 144.
The golf club head 100 may also include a hosel 160 and a hosel transition 165. For example, the hosel 160 may be located at or proximate to the heel end 132. The hosel 160 may extend from the club head 100 via the hosel transition 165. To form a golf club, the hosel 160 may receive a first end of a shaft 198. The shaft 198 may be secured to the golf club head 100 by an adhesive bonding process (e.g., epoxy) and/or other suitable bonding processes (e.g., mechanical bonding, soldering, welding, and/or brazing). Further, a grip 199 may be secured to a second end of the shaft 198 to complete the golf club.
While the above examples describe various portions and/or surfaces of the golf club head 100, the golf club head 100 may not include certain portions and/or surfaces. For example, although one or more figures may depict the top wall portion 142 transitioning directly to the bottom wall portion 144, the golf club head 100 may include a separate side wall portion (e.g., a skirt). In particular, the side wall portion may be located between the top wall portion 142 and the bottom wall portion 144, and wrap around the back end 136 of the golf club head 100 from the toe end 130 to the heel end 132. Further, while one or more of figures may depict the hosel 160 and the hosel transition 165, the golf club head 100 may not include the hosel 160 and/or the hosel transition 165. In one example, the club head 100 may include a bore (not shown) within the golf club head 100 to receive a shaft (e.g., an opening of the bore may be relatively flushed with the top wall portion 142).
Referring to
As noted above, spin may be imparted on a golf ball (not shown) when the golf club head 100 impacts the golf ball. Ball flight and flight distance of the golf ball may vary based on the spin imparted by the golf club head 100. For example, a golf club head with a relatively higher loft angle may impart a relatively higher ball flight but may provide a relatively shorter flight distance. In contrast, a golf club head with a relatively lower loft angle may provide a relatively farther flight distance but impart a relatively lower ball flight. Thus, a set of golf clubs may include a progression of loft angles to provide an individual with a range of ball flights and flight distances. Instead of manufacturing a weight at an identical position in golf club heads with various loft angles, an internal and/or external weight (not shown) may be positioned based on the loft angle 250 as described in detail below. The methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited this regard.
In the examples of
As illustrated in
The first front end plane 510 may intersect a first axis 380 (
In a similar manner as depicted in
The second front end plane 610 may intersect a second axis 480 (
As noted above, the first golf club head 300 may include a first weight 710 (
The first weight position 720 may be defined by the first loft angle 550 whereas the second weight position 820 may be defined by the second loft angle 650. Further, the first weight position 720 may be located at or proximate to a first distance 722 (X1) from the first front end plane 510 whereas the second weight position 820 may be located at or proximate to a second distance 822 (X2) from the second front end plane 610. In general, the second loft angle 650 is greater than the first loft angle 550 (θ2>θ1). However, the second weight position 820 may be located relatively closer to the second front end plane 610 than the first weight position 720 relative to the first front end plane 510 (X1>X2). Accordingly, as the loft angle increases, the distance of the weight position relative to the front end plane may decrease (e.g., the weight may be positioned closer to the front end plane). Therefore, the distance of the weight position relative to the front end plane may be inversely proportional to the loft angle of a golf club head.
Although the figures may depict the first and second weights 710 and 810 having elliptical shapes, the first and/or second weights 710 and 810 may have circular shapes, polygonal shapes, free-formed shapes (e.g., figure-eight shapes, kidney shapes, etc.), or any other suitable shapes. While the first and second weights 710 and 810 may be depicted as having the same shape, the first and second weights 710 and 810 may have different shapes. In one example, each of the first and second weights 710 and 810 may be at least 48 grams. Also, the first and second weights 710 and 810 may be approximately 2.3 inches in length, 1.5 inches in width, and 0.3 inches in height. The first and/or second weights 710 and 810 may be a single weight or a plurality of weights with other dimensions. The first and/or second weights 710 and 810 may include metal material such as steel, titanium, titanium alloy, tungsten, and/or any other suitable materials. While the above examples may depict weights of particular size, shape, and/or material, the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein may include weights configured in various sizes, shapes, and/or materials. The methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.
In general, the weight position (e.g., the first weight position 720 of
Alternatively, as noted above, the weight position may be inversely proportional to the loft angle in a non-linear manner. Referring to
Turning to
In one example, the second trajectory 1320 may represent a weight position to provide optimal spin and carry distance. In contrast, a weight position associated with the first trajectory 1310 may be farther from a front end plane than a weight position associated with the second trajectory 1320. As a result, the weight position associated with the first trajectory 1310 may generate relatively more spin resulting in relatively higher ball flight and less carry distance. In another example, a weight position associated with the third trajectory 1330 may be closer to a front end plane than a weight position associated with the second trajectory 1320. Thus, a weight position associated with the third trajectory 1330 may be generate relatively less spin resulting in relatively lower ball flight and less carry distance. The methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.
As a result, a golf club head with a relatively lower loft angle and a weight positioned relatively farther from a front end plane may increase the amount of spin imparted on a golf ball to increase ball flight of the golf ball. A golf club head with a relatively higher loft angle and a weight position relatively closer to the front end plane may reduce the amount of spin imparted on a golf ball to increase the flight distance traveled by the golf ball. Further, the golf club head with the relatively higher loft angle and the weight position relatively closer to the front end plane may rotate relatively less than the golf club head with the relatively lower loft angle and the weight positioned relatively farther from the front end plane. With relatively less rotation at impact with the golf ball, the amount of vibration may be reduced to provide a better feel. The methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.
Although the above examples describe various portions and/or surfaces of the golf club head 100, the golf club head 100 may not include certain portions and/or surfaces. For example, while
While some of the above figures may depict a utility club head or a metal wood-type club head (e.g., drivers, fairway woods, etc.), the methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture described herein may be readily applicable to other suitable types of golf club heads. For example, the methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture described herein may be applicable to hybrid-type club heads, iron-type club heads, or other suitable types of golf club heads. The methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited this regard.
In the example of
Although the process 1400 may be described above with respect to the golf club head 100, the process 1400 may be applicable to other golf club heads. Further, while a particular order of actions is illustrated in
Although certain example methods, apparatus, and/or articles of manufacture have been described herein, the scope of coverage of this disclosure is not limited thereto. On the contrary, this disclosure covers all methods, apparatus, and/or articles of manufacture fairly falling within the scope of the appended claims either literally or under the doctrine of equivalents.
Claims
1. A set of golf clubs comprising: wherein:
- at least two golf clubs, each club of the at least two golf clubs comprising: a grip; a shaft having a first end and a second end, the shaft coupled to the grip at the first end; and a club head having a toe end, a heel end, a front end, a back end, a top wall portion, a bottom wall portion, and a face portion associated with a loft angle, the loft angle defined by a loft plane and a front end plane perpendicular to a ground plane, the loft plane substantially parallel to the face portion, the front end plane located at a front-most part of the face portion; and a first weight positioned at or proximate to a first distance between the front end plane, at least a portion of the first weight positioned along an axis extending between the front end and the back end,
- the first distance of each club of the at least two golf clubs is defined by an equation of ((−0.086*θ)+3.797)≧x≧((−0.086*θ)+2.797), where the first distance, x, has units of inches and the loft angle, θ, has units of degrees.
2. The set of golf clubs of claim 1, wherein:
- the first distance of each club of the at least two golf clubs comprises one of: a second distance being inversely proportional to the loft angle in a linear manner; or a third distance being inversely proportional to the loft angle in a non-linear manner.
3. The set of golf clubs of claim 1, wherein:
- a center of mass of the first weight is positioned at or proximate to the first distance.
4. The set of golf clubs of claim 1, wherein:
- the first weight comprises at least one of: a second weight integrated into the body or a first adjustable weight.
5. The set of golf clubs of claim 1, wherein:
- the first distance of the first weight of each club head of the two or more golf club heads is inversely proportional to the loft angle.
6. A set of golf clubs comprising: wherein:
- two or more golf club heads,
- each club head of the two or more golf club heads comprises: a body having a front face and a first weight;
- the first weight of each club head of the two or more golf club heads is positioned at a first distance relative to a front end plane, the front end plane is located at the front face and is perpendicular to a ground plane;
- the front face of each club head of the two or more golf club heads has a loft angle, the loft angle is an angle between the front face and the front end plane; and
- the first distance of the first weight of each club head of the two or more golf club heads is inversely proportional to the loft angle of the front face of each club head of the two or more golf club heads.
7. The set of golf clubs of claim 6, wherein:
- the first distance of the first weight of each club head of the two or more golf club heads is inversely proportional to the loft angle of each club head of the two or more golf club heads in a linear manner.
8. The set of golf clubs of claim 6, wherein:
- the first distance of the first weight of each club head of the two or more golf club heads is inversely proportional to the loft angle of each club head of the two or more golf club heads in a non-linear manner.
9. The set of golf clubs of claim 6, wherein:
- the first distance, x, is defined by an equation of ((−0.086*θ)+3.797)≧x≧((−0.086*θ)+2.797), where the first distance, x, has units of inches and the loft angle, θ, has units of degrees.
10. The set of golf clubs of claim 6, wherein:
- the first distance, x, is defined by an equation of x=(−0.086*θ)+3.297, where the first distance, x, has units of inches and the loft angle, 0, has units of degrees.
11. The set of golf clubs of claim 6, wherein:
- the first distance, x, is defined by an equation of x=(−0.009*θ̂2)+(0.194*θ)+1.192, where the first distance, x, has units of inches and the loft angle, θ, has units of degrees.
12. The set of golf clubs of claim 6, wherein
- a center of mass of the first weight in each club head of the two or more golf club heads is positioned at the first distance.
13. The set of golf clubs of claim 6, wherein:
- an edge of the first weight in each club head of the two or more golf club heads is positioned at the first distance.
14. A set of golf clubs comprising: wherein:
- a first club having a first club head, the first club head comprising: a first toe end, a first heel end, a first front end, a first back end, a first top wall portion, a first bottom wall portion, a first face portion associated with a first loft angle defined by a first loft plane and a first front end plane, the first front end plane is perpendicular to a first ground plane, and a first weight positioned at or proximate to a first distance relative to the first front end plane, at least a potion of the first weight positioned along a first axis extending between the first front end and the first back end; and
- a second club having a second club head, the second club head having a second toe end, a second heel end, a second front end, a second back end, a second top wall portion, a second bottom wall portion, a second face portion associated with a second loft angle defined by a second loft plane and a second front end plane, the second front end plane is perpendicular to the first ground plane, and a second weight positioned at or proximate to a second distance relative to the second front end plane, at least a portion of the second weight positioned along a second axis extending between the second front end and the second back end,
- the first loft angle is greater than the second loft angle; and
- the first distance is less than the second distance.
15. The set of golf clubs of claim 14, wherein:
- the first distance comprises one of: a third distance being inversely proportional to the first loft angle in a linear manner; or a fourth distance being inversely proportional to the first loft angle in a non-linear manner;
- the second distance is inversely proportional to the second loft angle in the linear manner if the first distance is inversely proportional to the first loft angle in the linear manner; and
- the second distance is inversely proportional to the second loft angle in the non-linear manner if the first distance is inversely proportional to the first loft angle in the non-linear manner.
16. The set of golf clubs of claim 14, wherein:
- a center of mass of the first weight is positioned at or proximate to the first distance;
- and
- a center of mass of the second weight is positioned at or proximate to the second distance.
17. The set of golf clubs of claim 14, wherein:
- an edge of the first weight is positioned at or proximate to the first distance; and
- an edge of the second weight is positioned at or proximate to the second distance.
18. The set of golf clubs of claim 14, wherein
- the first distance is defined by a first equation of ((−0.086*θ)+3.797)≧x≧((−0.086*θ)+2.797), where the first distance, x, has units of inches and the first loft angle, θ, has units of degrees; and
- the second distance is defined by a second equation of ((−0.086*α)+3.797)≧y≧((−0.086*α)+2.797), where the second distance, y, has units of inches and the second loft angle, α, has units of degrees.
19. The set of golf clubs of claim 14, wherein:
- the first distance is defined by a first equation of x=(−0.086*θ)+3.297, where the first distance, x, has units of inches and the first loft angle, θ, has units of degrees; and
- the second distance is defined by a second equation of y=(−0.086*α)+3.297, where the second distance, y, has units of inches and the second loft angle, α, has units of degrees.
20. The set of golf clubs of claim 14, wherein:
- the first distance, x, is defined by a first equation of x=(−0.009*θ̂2)+(0.194*θ)+1.192, where the first distance, x, has units of inches and the first loft angle, θ, has units of degrees; and
- the second distance, y, is defined by a second equation of y=(−0.009*α̂2)+(0.194*α)+1.192, where the second distance, y, has units of inches and the second loft angle, α, mass units of degrees.
21. The set of golf clubs of claim 14, wherein:
- the first weight comprises at least one of: a third weight integrated into the first body or a first adjustable weight; and
- the second weight comprises at least one of: a fourth weight integrated into the second body or a second adjustable weight.
22. The set of golf clubs of claim 14, wherein:
- the first weight comprises: at least one or more third weights located at or proximate to the first bottom wall portion; and
- the second weight comprises: at least one or more fourth weights located at or proximate to the second bottom wall portion.
23. The set of golf clubs of claim 14, wherein:
- the first weight comprises at least one of: a first elliptical shape, a first circular shape, a first polygonal shape, or a first free-formed shape;
- the second weight comprises at least one of: a second elliptical shape, a second circular shape, a second polygonal shape, or a second free-formed shape.
24. The set of golf clubs of claim 14, further comprising: wherein:
- a third club having a third club head, the third club head having a third toe end, a third heel end, a third front end, a third back end, a third top wall portion, a third bottom wall portion, a third face portion associated with a third loft angle defined by a third loft plane and a third front end plane, the third front end plane is perpendicular to the first ground plane, and a third weight positioned at or proximate to a third distance relative to the third front end plane, at least a portion of the third weight positioned along a third axis extending between the third front end and the third back end,
- the first loft angle and the second loft angle are greater than the third loft angle; and
- the first distance and the second distance are less than the third distance.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 24, 2010
Publication Date: Oct 14, 2010
Patent Grant number: 8342980
Inventor: Marty R. Jertson (Cave Creek, AZ)
Application Number: 12/822,858
International Classification: A63B 53/06 (20060101); A63B 53/00 (20060101);